Community rallies for peace, justice after deadly nightclub shooting

By Alan Shope

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    KANSAS CITY (KMBC) — Community members gathered Saturday for a peace rally and fundraiser after a deadly double shooting inside a Kansas City nightclub.

“This gun violence has got to stop,” said Tamika Bowman, whose daughter, TiShauna Ballard, was one of two women killed in the shooting.

Bowman said her family is still grappling with the loss.

“People that survived the shooting, my prayers go out to them all as well,” she said. “I don’t have my baby anymore. I can’t hold her. I can’t talk to her. She can’t call me.”

Ballard and Eboni Silas were shot and killed early last Sunday morning inside Status Nightclub near 28th Street and Southwest Boulevard.

The event, called Enough Is Enough, was organized to help raise money for the victims’ families and to send a message against gun violence.

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s frustrating. It’s unnecessary,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

Pat Clarke, who works in community outreach, said the city must confront the toll violence is taking.

“I have a question: who’s next? Two babies. Two young women are gone. Is the city upset yet?” Clarke said.

Earlier this week, Kansas City officials shut down the nightclub where the shooting happened.

Police have a suspect in custody, but Johnson said the investigation depends on community cooperation.

“We cannot sit on social media and say that we’re tired of this and enough is enough if you’re not willing to offer up what you know,” Johnson said.

For Bowman, the pain remains constant.

“I just wanna hear her just say mama one more time. I just want to talk to her and I can’t,” she said.

Clarke said the ripple effects of violence extend far beyond a single moment.

“A person walks up into a nightclub and destroys families forever. What are we going to do?” he said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Lakefront Brewery says it missed out on at least $400,000 in revenue due to Trump tariffs

By Emily Pofahl

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision Friday that President Donald Trump did not have the authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval, declaring most of the sweeping tariffs he enacted in 2025 illegal.

Trump’s administration had argued that the tariffs were imposed using emergency powers due to trade deficits with foreign countries. The president angrily spoke out against the ruling later Friday in a news conference.

“How ridiculous is that? I’m allowed to embargo them. I’m allowed to tell them you can’t do business in the United States anymore — we want you out of here. But if I want to charge them $10, I can’t do that,” Trump told reporters.

The ruling has created more uncertainty for some American businesses, including Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee.

Russ Klisch, president of Lakefront Brewery, said the tariffs enacted by Trump early last year led to Canada stopping its purchase of their beer.

“You’re talking a couple hundred thousand dollars — four, five hundred thousand that went to Canada that we don’t have any more sales,” Klisch said.

That loss accounts for about four percent of their revenue.

Klisch calls the Supreme Court’s ruling a positive for exporters, but he doesn’t expect Canada to resume buying their beer anytime soon. Rebuilding the relationship will take time.

“They’re still upset with us. It’ll take a while,” he said.

Also on Friday, Trump announced new tariffs through a different statute.

“Today, I will sign an order to impose a 10% global tariff under section 122 over and above our normal tariffs already being charged,” Trump said.

This presents another potential challenge for Lakefront Brewery, which imports aluminum and barley.

“If that’s increased in price, you wonder if that’s going to go up or not,” Klisch said.

Across the U.S., some large companies, like Costco, have filed lawsuits demanding refunds from the federal government. However, Klisch doubts he will receive any compensation for his lost revenue.

“I’m not expecting any refund,” he said.

In response to tariffs last year, Lakefront Brewery increased product sales in other areas in 2025 to avoid laying off employees. Despite the latest news, Klisch said he is not changing anything yet and will wait to see what happens.

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Man booked on kidnapping, child abuse, gets probation a year later

By Hamilton Kahn

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    DEMING, New Mexico (KOAT) — When Kyle Eckmann, 21, was arrested on August 22, 2025, he had driven from Texas to New Mexico with a 15-year-old girl against her family’s wishes.

When he got out of the car, Eckmann said he had a gun (he did not) and threatened to shoot a New Mexico State Police officer. Once he was in custody, he told the girl not to talk, but after she was taken to a hospital she told officers that Eckmann allegedly threatened to kill her and her family if she didn’t go with him, court documents said.

After being read his rights, Eckmann told police that he’d given her his phone to text her mother, then read her mother’s text saying she should tell him to drive her home and that she was a minor.

Eckmann was charged with kidnapping in the first degree, child abuse, bribery of a witness, aggravated assault of a police officer, and aggravated fleeing from a police officer.

Fast forward to February 16 2026, after Eckmann had spent 179 days in pretrial custody and had reached a plea deal. The recommended 18-month sentence was suspended, and instead he ws given supervised probation, with counseling and therapy required, and no contact with the victim allowed.

Eckman pleaded guilty to the aggravated fleeing charge. The child abuse, witness bribery, aggravated assult of a police officer, and contributing to the delinquincy of a minor charges were dropped.

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Human remains thought to be a century old discovered at University of Oklahoma

By Patrick Talbot

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    NORMAN, Oklahoma (KOCO) — Human remains potentially dating back 120 years were discovered Thursday on the University of Oklahoma campus at the future site of the university’s Life Science Laboratories building, leading to an immediate halt in construction and notification of law enforcement.

Jessica Cerezo-Roman, an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at OU, explained the significance of such discoveries.

“By finding the remains, we can tell a lot about the story of who these people are. If the remains are well-preserved, or even if they’re not well-preserved, we can tell many things and the stories about them,” Cerezo-Roman said.

The University of Oklahoma stated that work was stopped immediately upon the discovery, and law enforcement was notified.

The state’s medical examiner’s office classified the remains as nonforensic, indicating no criminal investigation is necessary. Its anthropologist is on-site but has waived jurisdiction, allowing the state’s archaeologist to take over the investigation.

Cerezo-Roman spoke of the importance of archaeological expertise in handling such discoveries.

“It requires the technical expertise of archaeologists to carefully document how they are found in the ground and carefully remove them,” Cerezo-Roman said.

The University of Oklahoma expressed its commitment to ensuring the remains are handled with care, dignity and respect.

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Naked driver runs from serious crash scene in East Hollywood, bizarre video shows

By KABC Staff

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    EAST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — New, bizarre video shows a naked man running through the scene of a serious crash in East Hollywood.

Los Angeles police say the streaking man seen in the video was driving one of the two vehicles involved in the crash.

It happened on Thursday afternoon at Normandie Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood. Multiple people were injured, according to LAPD.

The man fled the scene after the crash, baring all and running down the street to the shock of bystanders. It was all caught on video.

“He’s the one that caused the accident. He was going through a red light. He ran, ran out of the vehicle naked. He was on drugs. It looked like he was homeless,” said witness Ramondo Taylor.

Police said one person was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The naked man was eventually arrested, and officers believe he was under the influence. He could possibly be charged with felony hit-and-run and DUI.

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Man arrested for allegedly sneaking into woman’s Salt Lake City apartment with axe, intending to ask her out

By Spencer Burt

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — Police say they arrested a man in Salt Lake City for going into a woman’s apartment in the middle of the night, armed with an axe, and saying he had been admiring her from afar.

Chadwell Clement Smith, 34, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, kidnapping, possession of a controlled substance, and prohibited possession of a dangerous weapon.

According to the arrest report, an “elderly” woman woke up around 2 a.m. to let her dog out and also use the restroom herself. While she was in the bathroom, she said she heard someone say “hello” at her front door, which she had left slightly open. When she exited the bathroom, she said she saw Smith standing in her apartment, holding an axe. She also said he brought a knife in with him and set it on top of the fridge.

The woman said Smith hugged her, told her to sit down and began rubbing her legs and feet. She said she did not want this and was scared. She said he told her that he had been “watching and loving her” for the past six months, wanting to ask her out.

At one point, he went into her bathroom and took a shower.

When officers arrived, they said Smith was lying on the victim’s bed without a shirt on.

They spoke with the Smith, who admitted that he walked in when he saw the victim’s door open, “thinking that this was his shot.” He also admitted that he had been watching her for months. He added that he carried the axe and knife to defend himself.

He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and is being held without bail.

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UC students design warming system for Paralympians

By Aaron Thomas

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina prepares to end, top international para-athletes are preparing for the spotlight at next month’s Paralympic Games.

A team of University of Cincinnati engineering students is working behind the scenes to develop innovative devices for adaptive athletes, putting final touches on a warming system designed for competitors with prosthetic limbs.

These tools aim to help athletes avoid issues with equipment and prevent further injury, particularly during extreme weather events.

“Being in mechanical engineering, I never saw myself learning to sew,” Ethan Edelenbos said.

As one of the students on the design team, Edelenbos has spent months developing a compression sleeve-style warming device. It’s designed to secure comfortably to a residual limb without relying on a single restrictive band.

Athletes with amputations can face significant challenges in winter sports, where residual limbs are exposed to cold temperatures. Students said maintaining warmth helps reduce discomfort and the risk of injury during competition.

The design team, dubbed “Bearcat Bobsled,” will have its work tested at a national competition hosted at Virginia Tech in April. The event is organized by Project S.E.R.V.E., a nonprofit that partners with university engineering programs to develop customized devices for veterans with amputations.

For Joe Robbins, this is more than a capstone project to graduate.

“It’s more about making an impact, actually contributing something to a needed community,” Robbins said.

UC’s team will compete against 11 other universities developing similar products.

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Woman holds world record for largest spoon collection

By Jacob Jansen

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    DAVENPORT, Iowa (KCCI) — What started as a gift from her great-grandmother has grown into a Guinness World Records title for a Quad Cities collector.

Cammie Pohl’s Mississippi Spoon Gallery in Davenport now holds more than 38,000 spoons, the largest spoon collection in the world, according to Guinness.

The Mississippi Spoon Gallery, 902 East River Drive, has just been crowned the Guinness World Record’s Largest Spoon Collection.

The owners say their collection of spoons pays tribute to America’s 250 years of history and the history of the Quad Cities area.

“A lot of displays go in, some displays go out,” said Pohl. “When you have over 38,000 spoons, I can only hang approximately, a little over 9,000, maybe 10,000 in the gallery.”

For Pohl, her collection began 36 years ago when her great-grandmother gifted her with her first spoon set, before she left to serve our country.

Pohl said her great-grandmother told her “not to open them until either I got married or bought my first home.”

She stored the boxes before leaving for basic training, and when she returned from the Army and bought her first home two years later, her great-grandmother had already passed away.

“When I got to open up those boxes, I got to celebrate her life all over again,” Pohl said.

A full-circle moment, as Pohl says, because spoons represent a beginning.

“It was the first utensil ever made,” Pohl said.

And spoons are part of stories in our country’s history.

“The souvenir spoon craze didn’t hit here in America until 1891 after the Salem Witch Spoon was actually made and that’s what started the whole craze here in America,” Pohl said.

And Pohl’s collection even highlights the Quad Cities’ history.

“I have the Tri-Cities spoons, before we became the Quad Cities,” Pohl said. “I have Chief Blackhawk spoons. Chief Blackhawk was born over in Rock Island on the cliffs of the Rock River.”

For Pohl, what began as a gifted set of spoons has quickly grown into a passionate pursuit to display our nation’s history.

The Mississippi Spoon Gallery opened in August 2023 and has brought in visitors from near and far.

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Truckee community mourns avalanche victims at candlelight vigil

By Andres Valle

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    TRUCKEE, California (KCRA) — The town of Truckee gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the nine backcountry skiers who died in an avalanche in Nevada County.

Tears streamed over a candle-lit plaza in downtown Truckee as hundreds came together on Sunday evening.

“The families carrying those losses bear a weight that is unbearable,” said Courtney Henderson, Truckee’s vice mayor.

The vigil was held in front of the eagle statue, drawing a large crowd.

Mercie Galvin, an attendee, said, “Just hearing the helicopters the last couple of days with, you know, recovery, it’s just a lot of noise that breaks your heart.”

“It’s just it’s so sad. And we’re really sorry for the families and the survivors. It’s just really tragic,” said Linda Williams.

The emotional impact was palpable, as one attendee noted, “The energy levels are just not the same.”

Many wrote messages over nine hearts, each representing a victim.

“I’m sure that they are leaving an amazing legacy behind for their children and their husbands, and all the rest of their friends. It’s just really tough,” said Sue Ireland.

The vigil included a local church choir singing “Amazing Grace” and a moment of silence.

Through community support, Truckee is proving that no one should grieve alone.

“Grief has a way of making us feel very small and very isolated. My deepest hope for tonight is that you feel the opposite,” said Henderson.

Dozens left candles and flowers at the memorial, and the vigil also paid respects to other skiers killed at nearby resorts, as well as the attack on the Tahoe Titans.

As we’ve reported, 15 people have died on the Tahoe area slopes this year. That includes five unrelated deaths at ski resorts and a January avalanche in the Castle Peak area.

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New Mexico Goatheads announce NHL affiliation

By Sam Smith, Nicholas Gallo

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    NEW MEXICO (KOAT) — Professional hockey is returning to New Mexico after 17 years, as the New Mexico Goatheads announced their NHL affiliation with the Colorado Avalanche, drawing over 2,000 fans to Rio Rancho for the celebration. The announcement was made Saturday, Feb. 21.

According to the ECHL, the agreement establishes a formal player development partnership, creating a clear pathway for players to advance within the Avalanche system while bringing professional hockey back to New Mexico.

“The timing of the affiliation worked out perfectly,” Goatheads General Manager Jared Johnson said. “Outside of the name, probably the second-biggest secret we’ve had to keep in the last six months.”

Johnson also said the Colorado Avalanche were the only team the Goatheads talked to, as they were looking for a new team in the ECHL due to their current team’s relocation at the end of the year.

“It’s a close affiliation, you know,” said Mike Battaglia, who is head of U.S. scouting for the Colorado Avalanche. “It’s a fresh start with hockey here and for us.”

The partnership aims to develop players for the next level. “It’s a way for us to bring more prospects in and have a little more time with all of them,” Battaglia said.

The team plans to bring a consistent style to their play, emphasizing speed and competitiveness. “We like to play fast and we like to be competitive,” Battaglia said. “Those are two huge things for us. The only way players get better is by playing, and that’s a big piece, and winning. Hopefully we can establish that environment here.”

The team also announced their mascot Billy as he energized the crowd, which has been eager to watch competitive hockey. While the possibility of hosting a preseason game with the Avalanche was discussed, the Goatheads’ general manager indicated it likely won’t happen this year but could occur in 2027.

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